AVENEL Brian Theodore Avenel, age 72, died tragically October 17, 2013 while scuba diving in Maui, Hawaii the day before marrying Kathy Lynn Dunlap. He is preceded in death by his parents, Albert Joseph Avenel and Vivian Marie Petitfils, his grandmother Cornelia Estopinal Petitfils who raised him from the age of 6, his only son Miles Owen Avenel, his precious angel who brought him so much joy for 33 years, and his brother Calvin Avenel and sister Yvonne A. Walker. He is survived by his siblings Albert J. Avenel Sr., Loretta A. Merrill, Laura-Lee Sinclair, Charleen Finger, Lee Ann Porche, Alfred Alemany, Debra Alemany, William Avenel, Barbara A. Thibodeaux and Cathy A. Politte. He is also survived by numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends as well as his family of dogs, "Dutch, Lizzy and Rocky". Brian was a graduate of St. Bernard High School Class of 1960 where he was named "Mr. St. Bernard High". He loved sports and participated in high school football, basketball and track. He was a four-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in Vietnam. He attended LSU, Delgado, UNO and Texas Tech. He retired from Lockheed Corp. after 30 years of service and had a secondary career as a private investigator and paralegal. He was elected Republican Committee Chairman for St. Bernard Parish. One of his biggest thrills in life was attending the inauguration of Ronald Reagan, his favorite President. Brian never met a stranger and often volunteered his time with the Humane Society, Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church and nursing homes with his therapy dog "Dutch". He loved LSU football, cycling on the Trace and just participated in another M.S. Tour for the Cure. His life was forever changed December 6, 2012 when he met Kathy at a St. Tammany Hospital Hospice event. They quickly fell in love, were inseparable, experienced a joy neither thought possible for nine beautiful months, and planned their dream wedding and honeymoon in Maui. Brian often said, "if you die in Hawaii, it's like going from heaven to heaven". He loved life and touched so many lives along the way. Life without him will never be the same. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Funeral Mass at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 395 Lafitte St., Mandeville, LA on Saturday, October 26, 2013 at 12:00 o'clock noon, with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Interment will full military honors will follow in St. Bernard Memorial Gardens, Chalmette, LA. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to the St. Tammany Humane Society or Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed online to Brian T. Avenel's facebook page and at www.tharpsontheimer.com. THARP-SONTHEIMER FUNERAL HOME of Metairie is in charge of arrangements. Information, please call (504) 835-2341

Published in The Times-Picayune from Oct. 24 to Oct. 25, 2013